Mainland's Deonte Wilson picks FIU over UCF

Daytona Beach Mainland's Deonte Wilson said he hadn't slept Tuesday night before choosing to play college football for FIU

February 1, 2012|By Buddy Collings, Orlando Sentinel

Daytona Beach Mainland's Deonte Wilson clearly struggled before, during and even after choosing FIU over UCF on National Signing Day.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound cornerback was tearful as he made his announcement and again afterward. He was consoled by family, friends and coaches and was the last of 23 Mainland signees (including six bound for prep school) to leave the school's performing arts auditorium.

"I haven't slept all night," he said after the ceremony, his eyes still holding tears.

Wilson also was offered by Middle Tennessee State but he said everything came down to the Panthers and Knights. He made an excruciating decision about five minutes before he walked into the building.

"It was a very, very hard decision," Wilson said. "I had to choose between two uprising schools which are great programs, great schools. I just had to make a gut decision.

"I just felt FIU is a better family for me. The coaches seem like a really close bond."

Mainland coach Scott Wilson, no relation, said Deonte "is an emotional guy. It was tough. He was really torn between those two schools."